MB
HLS - HOME LIVING: SOUTH, Tuesday, May 1, 2012 1
SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES
CREATING THE ART OF ILLUSION
Susan Redman
Decorate surfaces with favourite things such as this black wire Impala
head from Safari Fusions and fresh flowers.
TOP 10 TIPS
1. Remove interior doors
leading through living
spaces.
2. Go vertical and adorn
walls with framed
photos and artworks.
3. Replace large kitchen
appliances with under-
counter options.
4. Use mirrors in
hallways to make them
feel less claustrophobic.
5. Keep bedrooms free
from clutter. Make the
bed and put clothes
away.
6. Reposition seating
regularly in living spaces
to support easy traffic
flow.
7. If the desk is on show,
keep it tidy and be
mindful of displaying
your work.
8. Buy an ottoman with
storage for throws and
cushions not in use.
9. Install hooks and hat
stands to keep coats,
hats and scarves off the
couch or bed.
10. Put up overhead
open shelving in the
kitchen and laundry.
MAKEOVER
IF you live in a small sub-
urban home, inner-city ter-
race or apartment, chances
are you may feel challenged
by your decorating options
due to lack of space.
But take heart, there are
ways to help small spaces
make a big impression.
These three makeover
schemes will create the il-
lusion that wherever you
live looks light, spacious
and airy, without a major
overhaul.
ON DISPLAY
Everyone talks about
decluttering and finding
great storage solutions but
that's only half the story.
Going minimal won't al-
ways create the feeling of
space.
The more there is for the
eye to focus on, the more of
your home there seems to be.
Display art, ceramics and
photographs, or whatever
else you cherish, in open
shelving and on top of cabi-
nets.
NEUTRAL CANVAS
The trick to keeping a small
home with lots of focal points
from looking chaotic is in the
palette chosen.
Painting walls white is OK,
but deeper shades of pale can
work, too.
In the living room, for
example, create contrast with
muted wallpaper prints or
fretwork screens.
These items will help give
the impression that there is a
lot more happening in the
room than simply the four
walls and rug.
INSIDE OUT
Set up rows of succulents or
fill vases with blooms from
your garden (or local florist).
The natural greenery and
colour creates depth in a
room and may also deliver a
wonderfully perfumed bonus.
Create maximum impact in
rooms that lead to your back-
yard, balcony or courtyard by
duplicating some of the el-
ements of inside rooms.
Use similar furniture or
colours in outside dining or
seating areas.
Knock up privacy screens
around border fences and
take down any curtains or
blinds from rear windows.
Light will flood these back
rooms and you'll create the
impression that the outside is
part of the whole, encourag-
ing the perception of in-
creased floor area.
Seen any great ideas?
Tell us at boxallf@newslocal.com.au
TEAL TIME
Devito chaise in
Ardo teal, $844,
Dare Gallery,
daregallery.
com.au
MUSTARD MAGIC
Limited edition Gossip
chaise lounge, $1199,
Freedom, 1300 135 588,
freedom.com.au
BEIGE BEAUTY
Stela Chaise, $2695,
Coast Furniture +
Interiors, 0419 444 678,
coastfurnitureand
interiors.com.au
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